BNP against gas export
BNP on Wednesday opposed the reintroduced provision in the Offshore Model PSC for export of gas by the drilling companies, saying the government did it to hang onto power by sacrificing country's interests, reports UNB.
"There's been a plot to control Bangladesh and its market. An arrangement has been made to export gas from Bangladesh sacrificing its interests," said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a discussion, he further said, "If you look around, you'll see Bangladesh has turned into an international market where country's interests are being harmed. Country's all interests are being sacrificed (by the government) only to cling to power."
He recalled that current prime minister Sheikh Hasina said her party was defeated in the 2001 election for not signing the gas export deal.
Northern Region Student Forum arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 12th jail release day of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
According to media reports, the cabinet committee on economic affairs recently approved the Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (Model PSC) 2019 reintroducing the provision for export of gas by the drilling companies from Bangladesh's offshore blocks in the Bay.
Fakhrul also voiced apprehension that Bangladesh may face another danger like Rohingya one following the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in India's Assam excluding the names of more than 1.9 million applicants, and urged the country's people to remain alert about it.
"Apart from the Rohingya problem, more danger is coming ahead and we should not keep our eyes closed."
He alleged that the government still could not send any Rohingya to Myanmar as two main foreign friends -- India and China -- have sided with Myanmar.
The BNP leader called upon people to get united to protect the country's independence and sovereignty, and restore democracy.
He strongly protested and condemned the jailing of former caretaker government adviser Mainul Hosein.
"He was sent to jail again for raising voice against the government. We demand that the cases filed against him be withdrawn."
Fakhrul also demanded the government withdraw cases filed against 2.6 million BNP leaders and activists, including Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, and take steps for arranging a fresh national election under a neutral administration and the election commission.